Settlement Details Revealed - Susan Couch Talks Exclusively to Campbell Live

Susan Couch, the sole survivor of an attack at an Auckland Returned and Services Association in which three people were murdered, will receive a settlement of $300,000 from the Corrections Department.

The attack, 11 years ago, left Ms Couch partially paralysed and with brain damage by William Bell, who was on parole for aggravated robbery.

The settlement amount was embargoed until 7pm tonight, when Ms Couch talked exclusively with John Campbell, LIVE on TV3. Ms Couch’s lawyer Brian Henry, and Corrections chief Ray Smith also appeared on Campbell Live.

In the Campbell Live interview, Susan Couch said of the outcome and settlement:

"Very mixed emotions, I'm exhausted, I'm over it right now. Its been nearly 11 years of government departments which will still continue even after the settlement."

"I'm looking at it as the closest to an apology I'll get. People dont realise when they make an apology they are validating someones suffering and not just ignoring them. It's not a formal apology, it's a 'whoops sorry, our bad' but I'll take it."

Her lawyer, Mr Henry argued before the High Court in May that William Bells probation officer had been inexperienced and her bosses had failed to supervise her.

The full interview will be available from 8pm at www.3News.co.nz/CampbellLive

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>